Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala High Court on Monday pulled up officials for removing Congress candidate Vyshna Suresh from the voters’ list, calling the action “unfair” and “deeply unjust” as she campaigned for the Muttada Ward in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.

Court questions sudden deletion

The Court asked why a young woman who had already announced her candidature was abruptly struck off the rolls and stressed that political interests must not influence electoral procedures.

“Is this how a 24-year-old woman who comes forward to contest should be treated?” the Court asked, noting that her documents bore the correct address and there was no evidence of her being registered elsewhere.

It observed that a candidate’s right to contest cannot be denied on technicalities, especially in a Corporation election where procedural fairness is crucial.

Directions to restore Vaishna’s name

The Bench directed the State Election Commission to immediately hear Vyshna and restore her name on the voters’ list. If the Commission failed, the Court warned it would not hesitate to use its extraordinary powers.

Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan instructed the District Collector to decide on her appeal before November 19, adding that the High Court would intervene if the deadline was ignored.

Complaint behind deletion

Vyshna was removed from the voters’ list following a complaint by a CPI-M worker, who alleged her permanent address differed from the address used for voter registration.

Though her family home is in Muttada, she currently lives in a rented house in Ambalamukku and voted in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. After a hearing, her vote was cancelled, pushing the Congress to approach the High Court.

Congress raises counter-allegations

The Congress countered the complaint, alleging irregularities in the address of Dhanesh Kumar, the CPI-M worker who filed it, claiming that 22 people were shown residing under his house number.

Dhanesh denied wrongdoing, calling it a technical issue involving multiple houses under one number.

With the Court’s intervention, the Congress hopes Vyshna can continue as its official candidate.

Candidate emotionally drained

Vyshna, who resigned from her job to contest the local body polls, said the developments have been emotionally exhausting. She had begun her campaign when the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation rejected her appeal, forcing her to approach the High Court.